Roof truss



S. MACOMBER Dec. 21, 1948.

ROOF TRUSS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 16, 1946 Patented Dec. 21, 1948 UNITED STATES- PATENT ;OFFICE noon 'mUss Stanley Macomber, North Canton, om Application December 16, 1946, Serial No. 716,636

The invention relates to trusses and more particularly to a novel type of roof truss and it is an object of the improvement to provide a roof truss having a maximum of strength with a minimum of weight.

Another object is to provide a truss in which the top and bottom chords and the struts are all formed of substantially V-shape structural members which provide a maximum compression value.

A further object is to provide a novel type of roof truss having vertically spaced dual lower chords or tie beams.

A still further object is to provide such a truss in which load bearing plates are connected to the vertically spaced bottom chords or tie beams, at the points where the struts are attached to the uppermost of the two bottom chords so as to transmit the load to the lowermost of the two bottom chords. i

It is another object of the invention to provide a truss of the character referred to having a novel, simple and efiicient end construction for attaching opposite ends of the lowermost of the bottom chords to the adjacent ends of the top chords.

The above objects together with others which will be apparent from the drawings and following description, or which may be later referred to, may be attained by constructing the improved roof truss in the manner hereinafter described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a roof truss embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 an enlarged side elevation of one end portion of the improved truss;

Fig. 3 a side elevation on a still larger scale-of one end of the improved truss;

Fig. 4 a similar view of the other end thereof Fig. 5 an enlarged transverse sectional view through the truss taken as on the line 5-5, Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 a transverse sectional view on a larger scale through the vertically spaced lower chords, or tie beams of the truss and one of the load bearing plates connected thereto, taken on the line 6-6, Fig. 2; and, Fig. 7 an enlarged detail sectional view taken as on the line I-'|, Fig. 2. H V v The improved roof truss is especially adapted for use in buildings where an air spaceis desired above the ceiling, or between the ceiling and a spaced upper wall such as an attic floor. For this P rpose the improved truss is provided with a 13 Claims. (Cl. 108-23) pair of vertically spaced bottom chords, or tie beams, whereby when a ceiling is connected to the lowermost of these bottom chords, or tie beams, and an attic floor or similar wall or covering to the uppermost thereof, a horizontal air space is provided therebetween through which a heating or cooling agent may be circulated.

To this end the improved roof truss comprises generally the two vertically spaced bottom chords, or tie beams, I0 and H, the oppositely inclined top chords, or rafter beams, l2 and I3 and a multiplicity of angular struts l4 connected at opposite ends to the top chords l2 or [3 as the case may be and to the uppermost of the bottom chords as indicated at I9.

The uppermost bottom chord I0 terminates at each end of the truss at a point spaced from the adjacent ends of the lowermost bottom chord II, and top chord l2 or I3 as the case may be, and may be attached to the adjacent top chord, at a point spaced from the end thereof, as by the vertical web member or strut I5.

The inner ends of the top chords (2 and I3 are connected together as indicated at I6, to form the comb or ridge of the roof, and the outer ends thereof are connected to the outer ends of the lowermost bottom chord II as by the end plates H, which are welded or otherwise rigidly attached to the top and bottom members as indicated at 8.

Adjacent pairs of struts it are welded to the top chords l2 or 13 as the case may be at points transversely opposite to each other on opposite sides of the top chord. The lower ends of adjacent struts IA are welded to opposite sides of the uppermost bottom chord III at points longitudinally spaced from each other so that a downward continuation of these struts would intersect at the lowermost bottom chord II as indicated by the broken lines M in Figs. 1 and 2.

In order to carry theload through to the lowermost bottom chord H, a load bearing plate, as

indicated at I9 is connected to the spaced bottomchords l0 and II as by welding indicated at 20. Thus the struts l4- and load bearing plates l9 provide a continuous web member between the upper chords I? or I3, downward through the uppermost bottom chord In to the lowermost bottom chord ll.

An inclined strut Ma is attached to each end of the uppermost chord ID at a point longitudinally spaced from the lower end of the adjacent vertical strut l5 and a load bearing plate I 4a is attached, as by welding, to the bottom chord members l and ii at this point for the same purpose as the load bearing plates above described.

Theaupper end of a vertical strut |a is attached to each upper chord adjacent to the point of attachment of the upper end of the adjacent inclined strut [4a, the lower end of the strut l5a being attached to the uppermost bottom chord Ill, and a load bearing plate l9b being connected to the bottom chord members I0 and II directly below the strut i5a.

An inclined strut Mb is attached at its upper end to the adjacent upper chord at a point adjacent to the upper end of the vertical strut, the lower end thereof being attached to the chord ID at a point spaced from the lower end of the endmost strut l4, and a load bearing plate I90 -is located between the spaced bottom chords l0 and ll adjacent to the lower ends of the strut I 4b and the adjacent end-most strut i4.

Although a truss of this character may be constructed of top and bottom chords and struts in the form of bars, of round or other cross sectional shape, or in the form of any desired structural shape, for the purpose of producing a roof truss having a maximum of strength with a minimum of weight, it is preferredthat the top chords, the spaced bottom chords and the struts all be formed of the particular V-shape structural member shown in the drawings.

This V-section structural member may be rolled or otherwise formed from a strip or sheet of steel of necessary or desired gauge and width, and as shown in the drawings the central portion of the strip is formed into substantially a V or triangle comprising the substantially fiat top or bottom wall 20, as the case may be, connected through the curved bends 2| at each end, with the converging flat side walls 22, having the spaced, oppositely curved, rounded bends 23 at the apex of the V or triangle, forming a central 'longitudinal slot 24, the metal being then bent outwardly in opposite directions from the slot, forming the oppositely disposed, lateral flanges 25 located in the same plane, the terminal edges thereof being preferably bent at an angle, as indicated at 26, to stiffen and reinforce the structural member.

In order to hold the width of the slot 24 to a definite spacing, as well as to stiffen and reinforce the structural member and hold it rigidly in the formed position, the slot may be welded at spaced intervals as indicated at 21.

As best shown in Fig. 7, in which the cross section of the V-shape structural member is shown enlarged, it will be seen that the tubular portion thereof is of a height, from the bottom wall 20 to the reinforcing flanges 25, substantially equal to the maximum width of the tubular portion, whereby, with the reinforcing flanges at the narrow side of the tube, a cross section is provided of substantially uniform strength in any position in which the structural member is located, making this an ideal cross sectional shape for use as either top or bottom chords, or struts, in a-truss of the type disclosed.

By making the truss of such V-shape structural members, the maximum compression value is providedin the top chords and in the struts, and the maximum tension value is provided in the spaced bottom chord members.

With a truss such as above described, a ceiling may be attached to the lowermost bottom chord I l ,by,,means of screws, nails or other fastening devices located in the slot 24 of'said chord, and in sesame manner a horizontal wall or floor of any" uitable material maybe attached to the uppermost bottom chord l0, spaced above said ceiling and forming an air space .therebetween through which-a heating or cooling agent may be circulated to control the temperature within the structure upon which said roof trusses are installed.

I claim:

1. A fabricated truss including a top chord, a pair of vertically spaced bottom chords, struts connected at their upper ends to the top chord and connected at their lower ends to the uppermost of the bottom chords, and load bearing plates extending between and connected to the uppermost and lowermost bottom chords beneath the points of connection of the struts to the uppermost of the bottom chords.

2. A fabricated truss including a top chord, a pair of vertically spaced bottom chords, angular struts connected at their upper ends in pairs to the top chord and connected at their lower ends at longitudinally spaced points to the uppermost of the bottom chords, and load bearing plates extending between and connected to the uppermost and lowermost bottom chords beneath the points of connection of the struts to the uppermost of the bottom chords. a

3. A fabricated truss including a top chord, a pair of vertically spaced bottom chords, angular struts connected at their upper ends in pairs to the top chord and connected at their lower ends at longitudinally spaced points to the uppermost of the bottom chords, and load bearing plates extending between and connected to the uppermost and lowermost bottom chords beneath the points of connection of the struts to the upper-.

most of the bottom chords so that downward extensions of the struts will pass through the load bearing plates and intersect at the lowermost bottom chord.

4. A fabricated truss including a top chord, a pair of vertically spaced bottom chords, angular struts connected at their upper ends in pairs to the top chord and connected at their lower ends at longitudinally spaced points to the uppermost of the bottom chords, and load bearing plates extending between and connected to the uppermost and lowermost bottom chords beneath the points of connection of the struts to the uppermost of the bottom chords so that downward extensions of the struts will pass through the load bearing plates and intersect at the lowermost bottom 5 chord, vertical struts connected at their upper ends to the top chord and at their lower ends to the uppermost bottom chords and a load bearing plate connected to the uppermost and lowermost bottom chords directly below each vertical strut.

5. A fabricated truss including a top chord, a pair of vertically spaced bottom chords, end

plates connected to opposite ends of the top chord and the lowermost bottom chord, the ends of the uppermost bottom chord terminating at points inwardly from the ends of the lowermost bottom chord, a vertical strut connected to each end of plates connected to opposite ends of the top chord and the lowermost bottom chord, the ends 01 the uppermost bottom chord terminating at points inwardly from the ends of the lowermost bottom chord, a vertical strut connected to each end of the uppermost bottom chord and to the top chord, a load bearing plate connected to the spaced bottom chords directly below each vertical strut, angular struts connected at their upper ends in pairs to the top chord and connected at their lower ends at longitudinally spaced points to the uppermost bottom chord, and load bearing plates connected to the spaced bottom chords directly below the points of connection of the angular struts to the uppermost bottom chord so that downward extension of the angular struts will pass through the load bearing plates and intersect at the lowermost bottom plate.

7. A fabricated truss including a top chord, a pair of vertically spaced bottom chords, struts connected at their upper ends to the top chord and connected at their lower ends to the uppermost of the bottom chords, and load bearing plates extending between and connected to the uppermost and lowermost bottom chords beneath the points of connection of the struts of the uppermost of the bottom chords, the bottom chords each comprising a structural member having its longitudinal central portion bent into triangular form with a narrow groove in one side thereof, each wall of the groove being formed upon a substantial radius, the edge portions of the strip being oppositely bent on each side of the groove forming substantially flat flanges, whereby the lowermost bottom chord may support a ceiling and the uppermost bottom chord may support a door, with air spaces therebetween.

8. A fabricated truss including a top chord, a pair of vertically spaced bottom chords, struts connected at their upper ends to the top chord and connected at their lower ends to the uppermost of the bottom chords, and load bearing plates extending between and connected to the uppermost and lowermost bottom chords beneath the points of connection of the struts to the uppermost oi the bottom chords, the bottom chords each comprising a structural member having its longitudinal central portion bent into triangular iorm with a narrow groove in one side thereof, each wall 01 the groove being formed upon a substatial radius, said groove being welded together at spaced points whereby the walls of the groove are rigidly held to a definite spacing, the edge portions of the strip being oppositely bent on each side 0! the groove forming substantially flat flanges, whereby the lowermost bottom chord may support a ceiling and the uppermost bottom chord may support a floor, with air spaces therebetween.

9. A iabricated truss including a top chord, a pair oi vertically spaced bottom chords, angular struts connected at their upper ends in pairs to the top chord and connected at their lower ends at longitudinally spaced points to the uppermost oi the bottom chords. and load bearing plates extending between and connected to the uppermost and lowermost bottom chords beneath the points 01 connection of the struts to the uppermost oi the bottom chords so that downward extensions 01 the struts will pass through the load bearing plates and intersect at the lowermost bottom chord, vertical struts connected at their upper ends to the top chord and at their lower ends to the uppermost bottom chords and a load bearing plate connected to the uppermost and lowermost bottom chords directly below each vertical strut,

and end plates connected to the end portions ofthe top chord and the lowermost bottom chord at points spaced outwardly from said vertical struts.

10. A fabricated truss including a top chord, a pair of vertically spaced bottom chords, end plates connected to opposite ends of the top chord and the lowermost bottom chord, the ends of the uppermost bottom chord terminating at points inwardly from the ends of the lowermost bottom chord, a vertical strut connected to each end of the uppermost bottom chord and to the top chord, a load bearing plate connected to' the spaced bottom chords directly below each vertical strut, angular struts connected at their upper ends to the top chord and connected at their lower ends to the uppermost bottom chord, and load bearing plates connected to the spaced bottom chords directly below the points of connection of the angular struts to the uppermost bottom chord,

and end plates connected to the end portions 01 the top chord and the lowermost bottom chord at points spaced outwardly from said vertical struts.

11. A fabricated truss including a top chord, a pair of vertically spaced bottom chords, end plates connected to opposite ends of the top chord and the lowermost bottom chord, the ends of the uppermost bottom chord terminating at points inwardly from the ends of the. lowermost bottom chord, a vertical strut connected to each end of the uppermost bottom chord and to the top chord, a load bearing plate connected to the spaced bottom chords directly below each vertical strut, angular struts connected at their upper ends in pairs to the top chord and connected at their lower ends at longitudinally spaced points to the uppermost bottom chord, and load bearing plates connected to the spaced bottom chords directly below the points of connection of the angu-' lar struts to the upermost bottom chord so that downward extension of the angular struts will pass through the load bearing plates and intersect at the lowermost bottom plate, and end plates connected to the end portions 0! the top chord and the lowermost bottom chord at points spaced outwardly from said vertical struts.

'12. A fabricated truss including a top chord, a pair of vertically spaced bottom chords, struts connected at their upper ends to the top chord and connected at their lower ends to the uppermost 0! the bottom chords, and load bearing plates extending between and connected to the uppermost and lowermost bottom chords at spaced points throughout the length of said bottom chords.

13. A fabricated truss including a top chord, a pair of vertically spaced bottom chords, angular struts connected at their upper ends in pairs to the top chord and connected at-their lower ends at longitudinally spaced points to the uppermost oi the bottom chords, and load bearing plates extending between and connected to the uppermost and lowermost bottom chords at spaced points throughout the length of said bottom chords.

. STANLEY MACOMBER.

REFERENCES CITED Name Date Rapp Jan. 6, 1903 Number 

